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Bayfest's third night all about showmanship

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Saturday’s heavy-hitting Bayfest lineup was loud for the ears and the eyes, as a pair of rock’s greatest stage shows visited Sarnia’s waterfront.

Headliners Iron Maiden ignited a crowd of about 18,000 with an epic two-hour set, filled with heavy metal classics, pyrotechnics and even a red-eyed animatronic goat-man.

Every song had its own unique backdrop, as the band brought metal heads into a frenzy with hits The Trooper, Fear of the Dark and Run to the Hills.

A 15-foot representation of the band’s ever-present mascot Eddie dressed in colonial garb stomped across the stage during Run to the Hills - a song about the European conquest of North America.

But even a giant Eddie couldn’t upstage singer Bruce Dickinson.

Dickinson ran around the elevated stage like a kid on a playground, his voice rising atop the band’s three-part guitar harmonies.

“Scream for me Sarnia!” he urged, while red-hot flames shot out from the stage.

Alice Cooper came out shortly after 7 p.m. to chants of "Alice, Alice!" The shock-rocker didn’t disappoint, opening with the dark hit Black WIdow, while wearing an arachnoid leather jacket and standing atop a pedestal adorned with spider webs.

Cooper changed costumes but kept the leather, while playing classic tracks Eighteen and No More Mr. Nice Guy. He walked around stage carrying everything from a bloody crutch to a sword, which he plunged into a rubber cadavre hanging from his set.

Iron Maiden brought 22 tractor trailers and buses full of equipment for the show. Bayfest crews worked from 5 a.m. and were still tweaking the set at 5 p.m. when the gates opened.

Bayfest organizer Michele Stokley called it the festival’s biggest ever show production-wise, topping even Kiss.

The massive show attracted some unexpected attention. Sarnia Fire Rescue Services sent an engine to the show to keep an eye on Iron Maiden’s elaborate pyrotechnics.

Fan expectations were high before the show, especially 24-year old Dera Veinot. Veinot camped out in line by herself from 9:30 p.m. Friday to make sure she was first into Saturday’s show.

She’d seen “the biggest heavy metal band in the world” before, but from a distance.

“I really wanted to experience Iron Maiden right at the front, so that’s why I slept overnight”

She sprinted to the front of the licensed VIP section after her ticket was torn, armed with a secret weapon.

“I also came equipped with an adult diaper,” she said. “Just i case I don’t want to lose my place, I’ll be prepared so I don’t have to move.”

The concert opened up with Canadian rockers Bleeker Ridge.

The Orillia-based foursome played only a handful of songs to make way for lengthy shows from the two headliners.

Lead singer Taylor Perkins told the crowd they didn't mind the shortened performance.

"We get to open for Alice Cooper," he said. "And warm up the crowd for Iron F****** Maiden."

Sarnia police reported four alcohol-related arrests and a number of ejections. Officers noted four is a relatively small number for a crowd of 18,000.

Bayfest wraps up tomorrow with Hedley, Big Wreck and USS in the afternoon, then The Offspring, Simple Plan and Papa Roach in the evening.